Latter Day Saints - What do they Truly Believe (about Polygamy)?

Polygamy

LDS Summary:

RLDS Summary:

Scripture Comparison Both the LDS and RLDS agree that the Old Testament states that adding wives (polygamy) is against God's Law
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
Bible, King James Version, Deuteronomy 17 14 When thou art come unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me; 16 But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the Lord hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way. 17 Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold. 18 And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: 19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:	Bible, Inspired Version, Deuteronomy 17 14 When thou art come unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me; 16 But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses; forasmuch as the Lord hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way. 17 Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away; neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold. 18 And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites; 19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life; that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them;

Scripture Comparison Both the LDS and RLDS Book of Mormon agree that the many wives and concubines of David and Solomon are an abomination to God and men shall not have more than one wife
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
LDS Book of Mormon, Jacob, Chapter 2 23 But the word of God burdens me because of your grosser crimes. For behold, thus saith the Lord: This people begin to wax in iniquity; they understand not the scriptures, for they seek to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms, because of the things which were written concerning David, and Solomon his son. 24 Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord. 25 Wherefore, thus saith the Lord, I have led this people forth out of the land of Jerusalem, by the power of mine arm, that I might raise up unto me a righteous branch from the fruit of the loins of Joseph. 26 Wherefore, I the Lord God will not suffer that this people shall do like unto them of old. 27 Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none;	RLDS Book of Mormon, Jacob, Chapter 2 31 But the word of God burdens me because of your grosser crimes. 32 For behold, thus saith the Lord, This people begin to wax in iniquity; they understand not the scriptures: for they seek to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms, because of the things which were written concerning David, and Solomon his son. 33 Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives, and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord, 34 Wherefore, thus saith the Lord, I have led this people forth out of the land of Jerusalem, by the power of mine arm, that I might raise up unto me a righteous branch from the fruit of the loins of Joseph. 35 Wherefore, I, the Lord God, will not suffer that this people shall do like unto them of old. 36 Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none: For I, the Lord God, delighteth in the chastity of women.

Scripture Comparison: The LDS and RLDS Book of Mormon agree that many wives lead to broken "hearts of your tender wives" and children with lost confidence
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
LDS Book of Mormon, Jacob, Chapter 2 32 And I will not suffer, saith the Lord of Hosts, that the cries of the fair daughters of this people, which I have led out of the land of Jerusalem, shall come up unto me against the men of my people, saith the Lord of Hosts. 33 For they shall not lead away captive the daughters of my people because of their tenderness, save I shall visit them with a sore curse, even unto destruction; for they shall not commit whoredoms, like unto them of old, saith the Lord of Hosts. 34 And now behold, my brethren, ye know that these commandments were given to our father, Lehi; wherefore, ye have known them before; and ye have come unto great condemnation; for ye have done these things which ye ought not to have done. 35 Behold, ye have done greater iniquities than the Lamanites, our brethren. Ye have broken the hearts of your tender wives, and lost the confidence of your children, because of your bad examples before them; and the sobbings of their hearts ascend up to God against you.	RLDS Book of Mormon, Jacob, Chapter 2 41 And I will not suffer, saith the Lord of hosts, that the cries of the fair daughters of this people, which I have led out of the land of Jerusalem, shall come up unto me against the men of my people, saith the Lord of hosts; 42 For they shall not lead away captive the daughters of my people because of their tenderness, save I shall visit them with a sore curse, even unto destruction; 43 For they shall not commit whoredoms like unto them of old, saith the Lord of hosts. 44 And now, behold, my brethren, ye know that these commandments were given to our father Lehi; wherefore, ye have known them before; and ye have come unto great condemnation, for ye have done these things which ye ought not to have done. 45 Behold, ye have done greater iniquity than the Lamanites, our brethren. 46 Ye have broken the hearts of your tender wives and lost the confidence of your children because of your bad examples before them; and the sobbings of their hearts ascend up to God against you.

1817 to 1819 In Maine, Jacob Cochran - leader of the Cochranites - (no association to the church restored by Joseph Smith) taught spiritual wifery from 1817 to 1819
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
	1800's New England Sects, Cochranites, Osgoodites, Dorrilites, and David Austin, pages 5-6 (Published 1819) The county of York, particularly this town, Kennebunk, Buxton, &c. has long been infested by a religious Impostor, named Jacob Cochran; who pretended to have a mission to spread a new religion. His process was, to gull a few men, then to seduce women, married and single, to attend his ministrations, swear them to secrecy, and then induce them to commit the most lascivious and criminal practices...He was then tried on an indictment for adultery, and convicted; but having been admitted to bail, and not having been surrendered into Court, he hopped the twig, and has not since been heard of; They had private, sometimes dark, meetings; in which none, but such as were bound by oath, to the most inviolable secrecy, not to divulge what was transacted in the meeting, upon penalty of eternal damnation, or of having their names blotted out of the book of life, were admitted. That each brother and sister in this fraternity, has a spiritual husband, wife, mate, or yoke fellow, such as they choose, or their leaders choose for them. These spiritual mates, dissolve, or disannul, all former marriage connections; and many of them bed and board together, to the exclusion of all former vows.

March, 1831 Both the LDS and RLDS Doctrine and Covenants agree that it is lawful to have one wife Note: The LDS D&C Section 49 has been included in the D&C since the first publication in 1835. It was not removed in 1876 like LDS Section 101 (see the entry for August 17, 1835 below).
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
LDS D&C Section 49 15 And again, verily I say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man. 16 Wherefore, it is lawful that he should have one wife, and they twain shall be one flesh, and all this that the earth might answer the end of its creation; 17 And that it might be filled with the measure of man, according to his creation before the world was made.	RLDS D&C Section 49 3a And again, I say unto you that whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man; 3b wherefore, it is lawful that he should have one wife, and they twain shall be one flesh; and all this that the earth might answer the end of its creation, 3c and that it might be filled with the measure of man according to his creation before the world was made.

January 1833 to January 1834 The church restored by Joseph Smith converted many Cochranites around Saco, the center of the Cochranite Movement
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
	Times and Seasons, Vol. 6, No. 17, page 1025 Also from 'Saco, Maine,' January 20th, 1834. Brethren in the Lord; I have baptised [baptized] about forty in this section, and there are more convinced of the truth, but are still lingering on the threshold of the church, and I think the Lord will gather some of them in his kingdom, Brother E. M. Green labored with me from the 16th of January, 1833, till October following, while we were together, we baptised [baptized] about one hundred and thirty. giving to every man his portion in due season: For my determination is, with the stick of Joseph in one hand, and the stick of Judah in the other, to labor diligently in the world, that my skirts may be clear from the blood of all men, and I stand acquitted before the bar of God.

1833 Church Council minutes records the excommunication of Doctor Philastus Hurlbut - who later was a key contributor to Mormonism Unvailed
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
Minute Book 1, [ca. 3 Dec. 1832–30 Nov. 1837] Kirtland, 3 June 1833 A Conference of high Priests convened in Kirtland at the Translating room Bro Sidney [Rigdon] opened the conference by prayer first case before the conference was that of Doctor Hurlburt [Doctor Philastus Hurlbut] who was accused of unchristian conduct with the female sex while on a mission to the east it was decided that his commission be taken from him and that he be no longer a member of the Church of Christ

June 1834 The church restored by Joseph Smith converted many Cochranites and held a conference in Saco, the center of the Cochranite Movement.
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
	Times and Seasons, Vol. 6, No. 16, page 1023 It was also decided that Elder Oliver Granger should travel eastward as soon as his circumstances will permit, and that he should travel alone on account of his age; it was also decided that Elder Martin Harrs [Harris], should travel alone whenever he travels; that Elders John S. Carter and Jesse Smith travel east together as soon as they can. The council also decided that Elder Brigham Young should travel alone it being his own choice, decided also that James Durfee and Edward Marvin, should travel together eastward; also, that Sidney Rigdon and John P. Green, go to Strongsville: also, that Orson Pratt and Harrison Sagers travel together for the time being; and that there should be a general conference held in Saco, in the state of Maine, on the 13th day of June, 1834.

November 28, 1834 This was the first date that the 290-page book, "Mormonism Unvailed," was advertised for sale in the Painesville Telegraph. The book was a publication against Mormonism. Excerpts provided identify accusations against Mormonism as being against monogamy. Painesville, OH is located 11 miles from Kirtland, OH and the Painesville Telegraph was the newpaper serving Lake County. Mormonism Unvailed was the first major publication that alleged fornication and polygamy within the Church of Jesus Christ. Other anti-Mormon publications up to this time never used fornication or polygamy, but used other derogatory remarks - imposter, fanatics, delusional, dull witted, Satan, etc. Publications also mentioned Cochranites in the same articles as Mormons, but only to lump both groups as delusional - no publication up to 1835 can be found where the polygamy of Cochranites was attributed to the Mormons.
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
	Mormonism Unvailed, E.D. Howe, Painesville, 1834 Introduction, page vii, Numerous have been the impostors among Christians, since the great apostacy began; especially since and at the time of the reformation. Munzer, Stubner and Stork were conspicuous in the 16th century. These men taught that among Christians, who had the precepts of the Gospel to guide them, and the spirit of God to direct them, civil offices and laws were not only unnecessary, but an unlawful encroachment upon their spiritual liberty; that all Christians should put their possessions into common stock; and that polygamy was not incompatible with either the Old or New Testaments. Page 214, But how is he to be detected, should he become guilty of transgression. The commandment makes provision for this. His guilt will become manifest by his inability to utter more revelations, and should he presume "to get another man's wife," and commit adultery; and "by the shedding of blood, seek to kill her husband," if he retain the use of his tongue, so as to be able to utter his jargon, he can continue as long as he pleases in the bed of adultery, and wrap himself with garments stained with blood, shed by his own hands, and still retain the spotless innocence of the holiest among mortals; and must be continued in the office of revelator, and head of the church. Page 220, Lord has promised to bless those who do it abundantly, gain a residence in the Indian territory, independent of the agent. It has been made known to one, who has left his wife in the State of New York, that he is entirely free from his wife, and he is at pleasure to take him a wife from among the Lamanites. It was easily perceived that this permission was perfectly suited to his desires. I have frequently heard him state that the Lord had made it known to him, that he is as free from his wife as from any other woman; and the only crime I have ever heard alleged against her is, she is violently opposed to Mormonism. Page 268, LEVI LEWIS states, that he has "been acquainted with Joseph Smith Jr. and Martin Harris, and that he has heard them both say, adultery was no crime.

August 17, 1835 The "Marriage" article in the Doctrine and Covenants (Section 101 in the 1835 Edition) would be in response to allegations made in Mormonism Unvailed to make certain that the Church was strictly monogamous. Mormonism Unvailed is the only published or "widely distributed" document that "reproached" the church concerning adultery. 1835 Section 101 became RLDS Section 111. The LDS formally removed the section in their 1876 D&C Edition.
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
RLDS D&C Section 111 1a According to the custom of all civilized nations, marriage is regulated by laws and ceremonies: 4b Inasmuch as this Church of Christ has been reproached with the crime of fornication, and polygamy: we declare that we believe that one man should have one wife; and one woman but one husband, except in case of death, when either is at liberty to marry again.

November 9-11, 1835 Robert Matthews, alias "Mathias the Prophet," was a practitioner of spiritual wifery. He visited Kirtland and talked to Joseph Smith Jr. They had a discussion, but it's not recorded that they discussed spiritual wifery. Joseph Smith called his doctrine was of the Devil, so Robert Matthew's views did not influence Joseph Smith.
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
Conversations with Robert Matthews, 9–11 November 1835 JS, Conversations, with Robert Matthews, Kirtland, OH, 9–11 Nov. 1835; in JS, Journal, Sept. 1835–Apr. 1836, pp. 22–29; handwriting of Warren Parrish; CHL. I told him that his doctrine was of the Devil that he was in reality in possession of wicked and depraved spirit, although he professed to be the spirit of truth, it self, also that he possesses the soul of Christ; he tarried until Wednesday 11.th, after breckfast I told him, that my God told me that his God is the Devil, and I could not keep him any longer, and he must depart, and so I for once cast out the Devil in bodily shape, & I believe a murderer

April 28, 1838 Joseph Smith, assigned as defender for Aaron Lyon in a case concerning a man wanting to marry a woman married to another man, instead ended up speaking against him, named what Aaron had done as a sin, and called for Aaron to repent.
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
History, 1838–1856, volume B-1 [1 September 1834–2 November 1838], Page 792 April 28 Aaron Lyon tried for offering marriage to Mrs Jackson “Saturday April 28th. 1838. This morning President, J. Smith Jun. and Sidney Rigdon, attended the High council by invitation. The business before the council was an appeal case from the branch of the church near Guymons mill.—— Henry Jackson was plaintiff, and Aaron Lyon Defendant. He commenced, (as he said) by getting a revelation from God that he must marry Mrs. Jackson; or that she was the woman to make his wife; When justice ceased to speak, mercy advanced to the rescue, which inspired the heart of President Smith and Geo. W. Harris; who with profound eloquence, with a deep and sublime thought, and clemency of feeling; spoke in favor of the defendant: but, in length of time, while mercy appear'd to be doing her utmost in contending against Justice, the latter gained the ascendency, and took full possession of the mind of the Speaker, who levelled a volley of darts, which came upon the old man, like a hurricane upon the Mountain tops, which seemingly was about to hurl the old man beyond the reach of mercy, but mercy still claimed the victim, and saved him in the church. Happy is it for those whose sin, (like this mans) go before them to judgment, that they may repent, and be saved in the kingdom of God.

April, 1840 The church was aware of allegations of adultery being circulated against it
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
	Times and Seasons, Vol. 1, No. 6, April 1840, page 84 Was it for commiting [committing] adultery? We are aware that false and slanderous reports have gone abroad, which have reached our ears, respecting this thing, which have been started by renagadoes [renegades], and spread by the dissenters, who are extremely active in spreading foul and libilous [libelous] reports concerning us; thinking thereby to gain the fellowship of the world, knowing that we are not of the world; and that the world hates us. But by so doing they only show themselves to be vile traitors and sycophants. Some have reported that we not only dedicated our property, but likewise our families to the Lord, and Satan taking advantage of this has transfigured it into lasciviousness, a community of wives, which things are an abomination in the sight of God...Yours sincerely, ORSON HYDE.

August 15, 1842 Joseph Smith Jr. gave J. C. Bennett a verbal beating (flagellation) for his practice of spiritual wifery
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
	Times and Seasons, Volume 3, No 20, Aug. 15, 1842 If I can be of auy [any] service in this Bennett affair I am ready. I was reading in your chamber last summer--yourself and Bennett came into the lower room, and I heard you give J. C. Bennett a tremendous flagellation for practicing iniquity under the base pretence [pretense] of authority from the heads of the church-if you recollect I came down just before you were through talking. There are many things I can inform you of, if necessary, in relation to Bennett and his prostitutes. I am satisfied of your virtue and integrity. I have been with you to visit the sick, and time and again to houses where you had business of importance, you requested me to do so--many times I knew not why, but I am satisfied it was that you might not be censured by those that were watching you with a jealous eye, and I now solemnly protest before God and man, I never saw a thing unvirtuous in your conduct. L. D. WASSON

October 1, 1842 Affidavits of several prominent members of the church denying any teaching of polygamy within the church
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
	Times and Seasons, Volume 3, No 23, Oct. 1, 1842 We the undersigned members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and residents of the city of Nauvoo, persons of families do hereby certify and declare that we know of no other rule or system of marriage than the one published from the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and we give this certificate to show that Dr. J. C. Bennett's “secret wife system” is a creature of his own make as we know of no such society in this place nor never did. Samuel Bennett, Newel K. Whitney, George Miller, Albert Pettey [Petty], Alpheus Cutler, Elias Higbee, Reynolds Cahoon, John Taylor, Wilson Law, Ebenezer Robinson, Wilford Woodruff, Aaron Johnson We, the undersigned members of the ladies' relief society, and married females do certify and declare that we know of no system of marriage being practised in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints save the one contained in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and we give this certificate to the public to show that J. C. Bennett's “secret wife system” is a disclosure of his own make. Emma Smith, President, Elizabeth Ann Smith Whitney, Counsellor, Sarah M. [Kingsley] Cleveland, Counsellor, Eliza R. Snow, Secretary, Mary C. Miller, Catharine Pettey [Catherine Petty], Lois Lathrop Cutler, Sarah [Ward] Higbee, Thirza [Stiles] Cahoon, Phebe [Carter] Woodruff, Ann Standley Hunter, Leonora [Cannon] Taylor, Jane Silverthorn Law, Sarah King Hillman, Sophia R. Marks, Rosannah [Robinson] Marks, Polly Z. Kelsey Johnson, Angeline [Works] Robinson, Abigail Works.

February 3, 1843 The edition mentioned here is the 1844 Edition of the Doctrine and Covenants. This edition contained Section 109 on Marriage which is the same as Section 101 in the 1835 Edition of the D&C. LDS history states that Joseph "read proofed" the D&C which indicates he approved of D&C 109's inclusion in the 1844 D&C.
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
History of the Church, Volume 5, Chapter 14 Friday, 3.--This morning, read German; at eleven, walked out in the city; returned at a quarter past twelve; read proof of "Doctrine and Covenants," which is now being stereotyped.

July 12, 1843 This is the date given for LDS D&C Section 132, Revelation on Polygamy. Note: This date for the revelation contradicts Joseph Smith's comment made in his journal May 25, 1844 that between May 21, 1842 and May 25, 1844, Joseph stated that Chauncey Higbee's claim that he (Joseph) taught a polygamy doctrine were "seeking to destroy my life and usefulness, and overthrow the work of the Lord"
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
Revelation, 12 July 1843 [D&C 132] ...as pertaining to the Law of the priesthood if any man espouse a virgin, & desire to espouse another and the first give her if he & they are virgins, & have vowed to no other man, then is he justified, he cannot commit adultery for they are given unto him for he Cannot Commit adultery with that, that belongeth unto him & to none else & if he have ten virgins given unto him by this Law, he Cannot Commit adultery for they belong to him, & they are given unto him therefore, is he justified...

November 25, 1843 Joseph Smith, Jr. states that spiritual wifery and adultery prevents a person from entering into the Celestial Kingdom - Brigham Young was married to his second wife at this time (Lucy Ann Decker – not divorced, making Brigham Young an adulterer)
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
LDS Church History, Vol. 6, Chapter 4, page 82 I was present with several of the Twelve, and gave an address tending to do away with every evil, and exhorting them to practice virtue and holiness before the Lord; told them that the Church had not received any permission from me to commit fornication, adultery, or any corrupt action; but my every word and action has been to the contrary. If a man commit adultery, he cannot receive the celestial kingdom of God. Even if he is saved in any kingdom, it cannot be the celestial kingdom. I did think that the many examples that have been made manifest, such as John C. Bennett's and others, were sufficient to show the fallacy of such a course of conduct.	This passage is not in the RLDS Church History.

February 1, 1844 Joseph Smith Jr. and Hyrum Smith explicitly calls polygamy a "false doctrine" and grounds to be cut off from the church
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
	Times and Seasons, Vol. 5, No. 3, February 1, 1844, page 423 NOTICE. As we have lately been credibly informed, that an Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ, of Latter-day Saints, by the name of Hyram Brown, has been preaching polygamy, and other false and corrupt doctrines, in the county of Lapeer, state of Michigan. This is to notify him and the Church in general, that he has been cut off from the church, for his iniquity; and he is further notified to appear at the Special Conference, on the 6th of April next, to make answer to these charges. JOSEPH SMITH HYRUM SMITH Presidents of said church

March 15, 1844 Hyrum Smith made a clear statement that polygamy was not being taught, not tolerated, and punishable by excommunication.
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
	Times and Seasons, Vol. 5, No. 6, March 15, 1844, page 474 To the brethren of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, living on China Creek, in Hancock County, greeting:-Whereas brother Richard Hewitt has called on me to-day, to know my views concerning some doctrines that are preached in your place, and states to me that some of your elders say, that a man having a certain priesthood, may have as many wives as he pleases, and that doctrine is taught here: I say unto you that that man teaches false doctrine, for there is no such doctrine taught here. And any man that is found teaching privately or publicly any such doctrine, is culpable, and will stand a chance to be brought before the High Council, and loose his license and membership also: therefore he had better beware what he is about...In the bonds of the everlasting covenant, I am Your obedient servant, HYRUM SMITH

May 25, 1844 Joseph Smith Jr. states in his journal that Chauncey Higbee's claim that Joseph taught a polygamy doctrine were "seeking to destroy my life and usefulness, and overthrow the work of the Lord" The testimonies provided were made May 21, 1842. So, Joseph is covering a period of two years (1842 to 1844) as denying polygamy is a doctrine of God.
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
Joseph Smith Jr Journal History, 1838–1856, volume F-1 [1 May 1844–8 August 1844] page 53-57 At home, keeping out of the way of the expected writs from Carthage. Towards evening Edward Hunter and William Marks of the Grand Jury returned from Carthage; also Marshal John P. Greene and Almon W. Babbitt, who informed me there were two indictments found against me, one charging me with false swearing on the testimony of Joseph H. Jackson and Robert D. Foster, and one charging me with polygamy or something else, on the testimony of William Law that I had told him so! The High Council having directed the following testimony to be published in the Neighbor, I copy it with the editor's remarks to shew the character of the men who are now seeking to destroy my life and usefulness, and overthrow the work of the Lord which he has commenced through my instrumentality:—“Testimony of Margaret J. Nyman, vs Chauncey L. Higbee, before the High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in the City of Nauvoo, May 21st, 1842... Chauncey L. Higbee came to my mother's house early one evening...proposed that I should yield to his desires, and indulge in sexual intercourse with him, stating that such intercourse might be freely indulged in, and was no sin; that any respectable female might indulge in sexual intercourse, and there was no sin it it, providing the person so indulging keep the same to herself; for there could be no sin where there was no accuser;— and most clandestinely, with wicked lies, persuaded me to yield by using the name of Joseph Smith; and, as I have since learned, totally false and unauthorized; and inconsequence of those arguments I was influenced to yield to my seducer, Chauncey L. Higbee. I further state that I have no personal acquaintance with Joseph Smith, and never heard him teach such doctrines as stated by Chauncey L. Higbee, either directly or indirectly. Extract from the testimony of Catherine Warren vs Chauncey L. Higbee, before the High Council of the Church, &c. “I have had an unlawful connexion with Chauncey L. Higbee. Chauncey Higbee taught the same docrine as was taught by John C. Bennett, and that Joseph Smith, taught and practiced those things; but he stated that he did not have it from Joseph, but he had his information from Dr. John C. Bennett.

May 25, 1844 John Taylor, Editor of the Times and Seasons since Nov. 15, 1842, added his editorial comments against polygamy ("persuade innocent females to submit to gratify his hellish lusts") and describes Joseph Smith Jr. as "the most chaste, pure, virtuous, and philanthropic man on earth."
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
Joseph Smith Jr Journal History, 1838–1856, volume F-1 [1 May 1844–8 August 1844] page 57-58 We have abundance of like testimony on hand, which may be forthcoming if we are compelled; at present the foregoing may suffice. ‘Why have you not published this before?' We answer, on account of the humility and entreaties of Higbee at the time, and on account of the feelings of his parents, who are highly respectable, we have foreborne until now. The character of C. L. Higbee is so infamous, and his exertions such, as to destroy every principle of righteousness, that forbearance is no longer a virtue. “After all that this Chauncey L. Higbee has done, in wickedly and maliciously using the name of Joseph Smith, to persuade innocent females to submit to gratify his hellish lusts; and then blast the characters of the most chaste, pure, virtuous, and philanthropic man on earth; he, to screen himself from the law of the land, and the just indignation of an insulted people, and save himself from the Penitentiary, or whatever punishment his unparallelled crimes merit, has entered into a conspiracy— with the Laws and others against the life of those who are knowing to his abandoned conduct; thus hoping to save himself from the disgrace which must follow an exposure, and wreak his vengeance, and gratify his revenge for his awful disappointments.”

May 26, 1844 Joseph Smith specifically stated that he could only find one wife and that anyone who said otherwise he could "prove them all perjurers"
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
History of the Church, Volume 6, Chapter 19, page 411 Sunday, 26.--At 10 A.M. I preached at the Stand. The following synopsis was reported by Mr. Thos. Bullock, clerk of the steamer, Maid of Iowa. Address of the Prophet--His Testimony Against the Dissenters at Nauvoo. There is another Law, not the prophet, who was cashiered for dishonesty and robbing the government. Wilson Law also swears that I told him I was guilty of adultery. Brother Jonathan Dunham can swear to the contrary. I have been chained. I have rattled chains before in a dungeon for the truth's sake. I am innocent of all these charges, and you can bear witness of my innocence, for you know me yourselves. When I love the poor, I ask no favors of the rich. I can go to the cross--I can lay down my life; but don't forsake me. I want the friendship of my brethren.--Let us teach the things of Jesus Christ. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a downfall. Be meek and lowly, upright and pure; render good for evil. If you bring on yourselves your own destruction, I will complain. It is not right for a man to bare down his neck to the oppressor always. Be humble and patient in all circumstances of life; we shall then triumph more gloriously. What a thing it is for a man to be accused of committing adultery, and having seven wives, when I can only find one. I am the same man, and as innocent as I was fourteen years ago; and I can prove them all perjurers. I labored with these apostates myself until I was out of all manner of patience; and then I sent my brother Hyrum, whom they virtually kicked out of doors. I then sent Mr. Backenstos, when they declared that they were my enemies. I told Mr. Backenstos that he might tell the Laws, if they had any cause against me I would go before the Church, and confess it to the world. He [Wm. Law] was summoned time and again, but refused to come. Dr. Bernhisel and Elder Rigdon know that I speak the truth. I cite you to Captain Dunham, Esquires Johnson and Wells, Brother Hatfield and others, for the truth of what I have said. I have said this to let my friends know that I am right.

Jan 15, 1845 Sidney Rigdon describes that traveling Elders and the main Church in Nauvoo were enforcing polygamy doctrine only 6 months after Joseph Smith Jr's death, but the outlying areas were not accepting the doctrine
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
	The Latter Day Saint's Messenger & Advocate, Volume 1, No. 6 Among the churches we visited, there was a great deal of excitement; many of the principle members had either withdrawn from the church or had been cut off, and of this number were the presiding elders of the church of Philadelphia, New York, Boston, New Egypt, N. J. and Woodstown, N. J. On inquiring into the cause of the difficulties, in every instance, it was the spiritual wife system which had caused the separation, and exclusion. The course pursued by the advocates of this system, which were the traveling elders, were, that as soon as a man became dissatisfied with the teachings of these believers in polygamy, and was bold enough to express his dissatisfaction, calling it incestuous and adulterous, he or she was immediately arraigned before the church and charged with disobedience to the authorities;

August 29, 1852 Elder Orson Pratt, under the direction of President Brigham Young, announced "Marriage: An Eternal Covenant" at a Church conference on 29 August 1852. The revelation was placed in the Doctrine and Covenants in 1876. The LDS Section 132 is disjunctive (expressing a choice between two mutually exclusive possibilities) which claims that God contradicts himself - God states in the Book of Mormon (Book of Jacob) that the multiple wives of David and Solomon are an abomination and men shall not have multiple wives and in LDS D&C 132 that God states He gave David and Solomon multiple wives and it's not a sin
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
LDS D&C Section 132 1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servant Joseph, that inasmuch as you have inquired of my hand to know and understand wherein I, the Lord, justified my servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as also Moses, David and Solomon, my servants, as touching the principle and doctrine of their having many wives and concubines— 38 David also received many wives and concubines, and also Solomon and Moses my servants, as also many others of my servants, from the beginning of creation until this time; and in nothing did they sin save in those things which they received not of me. 39 David's wives and concubines were given unto him of me, by the hand of Nathan, my servant, and others of the prophets who had the keys of this power; and in none of these things did he sin against me

November 9, 1856 President Heber C. Kimball Note: This is later compared to Jacob 2
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
Journal of Discourses, Vol. 4, Chapter 35, page 605 I have no wife nor child that has any right to rebel against me. If they violate my laws and rebel against me they will get into trouble, just as quickly as though they transgressed the counsels and teachings of brother Brigham. Does it give a woman a right to sin against me, because she is my wife? No, but it is her duty to do my will, as I do the will of my Father and my God. It is the duty of a woman to be obedient to her husband, and unless she is, I would not give a damn for all her queenly right and authority; nor for her either, if she will quarrel, and lie about the work of God and the principle of plurality.

January 1860 The very first statement made by the RLDS church was to denounce polygamy
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
	Latter Day Saint's Herald, Volume 1, No. 1, page 6 A more delusive idea never entered into the heart of man than the belief that polygamy is one of the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is a favorite doctrine of the Salt Lake Church, because that Church has "turned the grace of our God into lasciviousness," and plunged themselves into this iniquity in direct opposition to the plain and positive commandments of the Lord our God, as they are recorded in the Book of Mormon, in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and in the Old and New Testament. In the first place, we will call your attention to a revelation which was given expressly to this Church, in February 1831; Sec. 13, par. 7, where the Lord says to the Church: "thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shall cleave unto her and none else; and he that looketh upon a woman to lust after her, shall deny the faith, and shall not have the Spirit, and if he repents not he shall be cast out. Thou shalt not commit adultery; and he that committeth adultery and repenteth not, shall be cast out, but he that has committed adultery and repents with all his heart, and forsaketh it and doeth it no more, thou shalt forgive; but if he doeth it again he shall not be forgiven, but shall be cast out." This revelation teaches us that a man that cleaves unto more than one wife is guilty of adultery, has denied the faith, and shall not have the Spirit. How can it be said of a man who has more than one wife that he cleaves unto her and none else. In denouncing polygamy as a crime we only do that which this Church did long since.

January 1860 The very first sermon made by the RLDS church was to denounce polygamy
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
	Methods and Motives: Joseph Smith III's Opposition to Polygamy, 1860-90 There is but one principle by the leaders of any faction of this people that I hold in utter abhorrence; that is a principle taught by Brigham Young and those believing in him. I have been told that my father taught such doctrines. I have never believed it and never can believe it. If such things were done then I believe they never were done by divine authority. I believe my father was a good man, and a good man never could have promulgated such doctrines.

February 10, 1867 President Brigham Young mentions that Joseph Smith Jr only had one wife
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
Journal of Discourses, Vol. 11, page 322 They knew in the first place that he was guilty of nothing; but from that time to his last persecution when they served a writ on him in Carthage and he delivered himself up to the Governor, and was examined and committed to prison by the magistrate, their cry was, “Has not Mr. Smith said something or other that we can make treason out of it?” “Well, Dr. Bennett says so, or Jackson and the Laws say so.” “Will you not come forward and testify something or other so that we can condemn this man?” No. They could not get parties to swear this, that, or the other; but they wanted to prove him guilty of treason by trying to prove that he had more than one wife. Very singular treason, that! But so it was.

July 16, 1869 Brigham Young stated that polygamy was not a revelation, but a matter of "necessity"
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
Daily Alta California, Volume 21, Number 7057, page 2, column 3, 16 July 1869 The Chicago Commercial Party's Interview with Brigham Young Brigham Young - "...As to our institutions, we know we are right, and polygamy, which you object to, was not originally part of our system, but was adopted by us as a necessity, after we came here." Senator Trumbull—"I have no doubt that Congress has the right to legislate upon the subject of the marriage revelation, and to regulate it." Brigham Young - "Then why not legislate about the intercourse of the [unmarried) sexes? Here he went off into the question of slavery, saying: Congress ought to have made a law compelling the master to treat his slaves well, and then I believe it would have been better than to abolish it."

Adopted April 12 1877 The RLDS stated that priesthood involved in "sealing up to eternal life" have errored and formally banned the practice
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
	RLDS General Conference Resolution 202 No. 202. The following was read: ...To the Conference of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in Session at Plano, Illinois: The First Presidency, to whom your honorable body referred the question respecting "sealing unto eternal life," propounded in the paper attached hereto, submit the following in reply: We know of no law of the church creating or authorizing “sealing up to eternal life," as an ordinance; other than such sealing as may be found in the "laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost," in confirming members into the church. We therefore decide that such persons as may have performed such a rite supposed to be one of "sealing unto life," as an ordinance of the church, have erred...that elders should not teach nor Practice such rites as a rule of the church...Resolved, That the conference adopt said report as the voice of the body

May 19, 1890 The US Supreme Court dissolved the LDS Church and started proceedings to escheat (reversion of property to the Government) the holdings of the Church
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
Late Corporation Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints V. United States. Romney V. Same That the acts of the legislative assembly of the territory of Utah incorporating, continuing, or providing for the corporation known as the 'Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints,' and the ordinance of the so-called general assembly of the state of Deseret incorporating the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, so far as the same may now have legal force and validity, are hereby disapproved and annulled, and the said corporation, in so far as it may now have, or pretend to have, any legal existence, is hereby dissolved; That on the 19th day of February, 1887, (by the said act of that date,) the charter and act of incorporation of the corporation aforesaid was disapproved, repealed, and annulled by congress, and the corporation was dissolved, and all the real estate owned and occupied by it, in excess of $50,000, not held or occupied for the worship of God, etc., was subject to escheat to the United States.

September 25, 1890 Wilford Woodruff discontinued polygamy in areas where it was against the law (this declaration did not remove polygamy from the entire church)
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
Official Declaration 1 The Bible and the Book of Mormon teach that monogamy is God's standard for marriage unless He declares otherwise (see 2 Samuel 12:7–8 and Jacob 2:27, 30)... I, therefore, as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, do hereby, in the most solemn manner, declare that these charges are false. We are not teaching polygamy or plural marriage, nor permitting any person to enter into its practice, and I deny that either forty or any other number of plural marriages have during that period been solemnized in our Temples or in any other place in the Territory. There is nothing in my teachings to the Church or in those of my associates, during the time specified, which can be reasonably construed to inculcate or encourage polygamy; and when any Elder of the Church has used language which appeared to convey any such teaching, he has been promptly reproved. And I now publicly declare that my advice to the Latter-day Saints is to refrain from contracting any marriage forbidden by the law of the land. Wilford Woodruff President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

1910 Elbert A. Smith of the Presidency of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
	All Brighamite Roads Lead to Polygamy, page 7-8 Pres. Heber C. Kimball, in a public sermon, in which profanity jostled piety, declared: It is the duty of a woman to be obedient to her husband, and unless she is, I would not GIVE A DAM for all her queenly right and authority.—Sermon of November 9, 1856, Journal of Discourses, vol. 4, p. 82. Any attempt to introduce this doctrine into the home will always result as it did in Utah. It resulted precisely that way in Book of Mormon times when Jacob rebuked the men because of their "grosser crime" of polygamy, and said, "Ye have broken the hearts of your tender wives, and lost the confidence of your children."—Jacob 2.

1943 Elbert A. Smith of the Presidency of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
	Differences that Persist, pages 20-21 The alleged revelation [LDS D&C 132] in its opening paragraph represents Joseph Smith as asking the Lord how the polygamy and concubinage of David and Solomon was "justified" in his sight; and the Lord is then represented as telling Joseph how their polygamy and concubinage was "justified" (excepting in the one case of Bathsheba) and how it was in fact a holy thing—"celestial marriage"—not at all "abominable" in his sight. There can be no compromise here at the very start. If the Book of Mormon was right the revelation is wrong. Again, we cannot believe that God's seal is "affixed to two sides of a controverted issue."

Current LDS.org Posting, 2022 The LDS misstates doctrine. Jacob 2:24 to 33 make clear statements that polygamy is an abomination to the Lord, no longer permitted, and that anyone practicing it He will visit with a curse. Nothing in these verses "justifies" polygamy.
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
LDS.org, Plural Marriage and Families in Early Utah Latter-day Saints do not understand all of God's purposes for instituting, through His prophets, the practice of plural marriage during the 19th century. The Book of Mormon identifies one reason for God to command it: to increase the number of children born in the gospel covenant in order to “raise up seed unto [the Lord]” (Jacob 2:30). Plural marriage did result in the birth of large numbers of children within faithful Latter-day Saint homes...Although members of the contemporary Church are forbidden to practice plural marriage, modern Latter-day Saints honor and respect these pioneers who gave so much for their faith, families, and community.